The Taraia Object Expedition:
the search for Amelia Earhart’s aircraft
Join us for a world-changing mission to solve the last century's greatest mystery.
Led by Purdue Research Foundation, Purdue is partnering with the Archaeological Legacy Institute for a remarkable joint effort to locate Amelia Earhart’s lost aircraft and help complete the heroic journey she began almost a century ago.
This unprecedented expedition is uncharted territory: filled with adventure, persistence, and the shared goal to honor Amelia Earhart’s legacy at Purdue.
This is the story worth watching.
As part of Purdue University’s pioneering efforts in aeronautical research, PRF funded the “flying laboratory” 10E Electra that Earhart used in her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. In recognition of this contribution, she intended to return the plane to Purdue after the flight.
Follow the Journey.
The mission begins.
In October 2026, PRF is joining ALI on an expedition to Nikumaroro Island. The team will investigate the Taraia Object, located in a lagoon, to determine whether it could be a remnant of Amelia Earhart’s plane.
This expedition would not be possible without the leadership of President Maamau and the Kiribati Cabinet, particularly the Ministry for Line and Phoenix Island Development and the Ministry for Culture and Internal Affairs. The leaders of those ministries, the Honorable Mikarite Temari and the Honorable Harry Tekaiti, as well as their superb secretaries, Natario Kiati and Bwereti Tewareka, have been integral to making this project happen. We simply could not have done it without them, and we’ve been very blessed by their support and guidance throughout. We’re thrilled to have representatives of these ministries on the expedition team, as this will only build on the strong collaboration we’ve already established.
Expedition Partners
The Amelia Earhart expedition is made possible through the support and collaboration of organizations providing critical operational, logistical, technical, philanthropic, diplomatic and in-kind support.
Featured Expedition Partners
Columbia Sportswear
DHL Express
The Niswonger Foundation
RECON Offshore
Fiji Airways
Additional Support
Additional support for the expedition has been provided by Alvantor, Arrants Expeditions, Brownie’s Third Lung, Bulova, Forestry Suppliers, GreenGood Labs, Kiribati National Shipping Line, The Museum of Flight, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Randolph USA, Tricor, and the U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu.